FERRARI BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: SIX MONTHS OF CONSISTENT GROWTHFirst positive effects of exclusivity-oriented volume reduction strategy: profits spiral while sales slow
Trading profit of 176 million euro (+22%)
Net profit of 116.2 million euro (+20%)
Best-ever industrial net cash position: 1,220 million
Revenues of 1,177 million euro (+7.1%)
3,767 (+ 2.8%) homologated cars delivered
Maranello, 1st August 2013 â€" The Ferrari Board of Directors met today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo to examine the financial results for the first six months of 2013.
During the meeting, the board highlighted the first results of Ferrari's strategic decision to reduce output: while the effect of said move on volumes will become clearer in the second half of the year, it is already being felt in smaller growth in volumes than in Q1 which are being matched by a significant increase in both trading and net profits.
On June 30th, Ferrari recorded excellent results confirmed by all of the main economic indicators: trading profit jumped by 22% (176 million euro), while net profits hit 116.2 million, a boost of 20%. Revenues rose to 1,177 million euro (+7.1%).
A total of 3,767 homologated cars were delivered to the dealership network, an increase of 2.8%, and a slower rate of growth compared to Q1. The company's industrial net cash position, however, is the best ever recorded: 1,220 million euro with very high investment into our products and a net cash flow, generated in the first half of the year, of 189 million euro.
These figures are the result of consistently successful sales right across the range. Of the 8-cylinders, the California 30 and the 458 Spider continue to achieve positive results, while in the 12-cylinder sector, sales of the FF remain consistently strong while the F12berlinetta is yielding very good results too. Its engine, in fact, won Ferrari the Best Performance Engine of the Year award for the third consecutive year after the 458's V8 double achievement (it was second this year).
The contribution made by our Atelier and Tailor Made personalisation programmes is still very significant as is that of Ferrari Classiche. The latter's renovated facilities recently hosted the restoration of several extraordinary and highly valuable cars from the world's leading collections.
Our US business continues to grow (+9%) with 1,048 homologated cars delivered (this area includes Canada). Despite Ferrari's decision to reduce sales, short-term forecasts suggest that there will be a slight increase over the next few months to avoid lengthening the waiting list to over two years.
In Europe, Great Britain has become our leading European market (+6%, 415 cars delivered), temporarily outdoing Germany which, with 388 deliveries (+1%), matches its 2012 figures. No surprises from Italy where sales continue to fall, with 116 cars delivered, a figure that accounts for just 3% of total volumes.
Growth was in double figures in the Middle East (+39%, 264 cars) and Japan which, with 172 delivers in this first six months (+28%), has returned to near pre-crisis levels.
There has been something of a slowdown in Greater China (People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) after years of exponential growth. Just under 350 cars were sold â€" 50 fewer than last year. This drop was mainly due to our decision to decrease deliveries to Hong Kong, a market which had grown strongly in recent times, and fears of a tightening up of taxes on luxury goods.
"Once again in the first six months of 2013, Ferrari has recorded excellent results. Two months ago, we took a strategic decision the effects of which will be felt more clearly over the next six months. However, that move is already beginning to make its mark," said Luca di Montezemolo. "An increase of just over 2% in volumes has been matched by 20% growth in EBIT which is and will remain our primary objective along with maintaining the exclusivity and value of our cars over time."
Data from Ferrari's Brand (Licensing, retail, e-commerce) activities remain positive. In the retail segment, the new Ferrari Store concept debuted in our Maranello store in early May and will soon be extended to the entire network worldwide. Aside from improving clients' shopping experience, the innovative design has also boosted business as revenues have risen by 50% in just two months.
Ferrari continues its rationalisation of its licencing activities. In just over a year, it has cut its licensees to 60 but results are still up 9% in the first six months of 2013.
Good news too from the online front: e-commerce has increased by 21%. Social networks have now become our main communications channel with enthusiasts and tifosi the world over, and our Facebook page now has over 12 million fans.
Finally, the huge success enjoyed by the Ferrari Museum in Maranello deserves a very special mention: the Museum has increased its visitor numbers by over 30% compared to the first six months of 2012, attracting 140,000 visitors since the start of the year.
There's a classic The Far Side comic where two aliens, cleverly disguised as traffic lights, discuss eliminating the Earth's population slowly, one at a time. The joke, of course, is that things aren't always what they seem.